AURORA CHAMBER HOME SHOW
The best Home Show in York
Region is almost ready to launch. By the time you read this, Jack Roeleveld of
Jack’s Landscaping will be moving a huge tree onto the exhibitor’s floor as
well as tons of stone. He is building the Feature Area, one of the main attractions
of this annual show. On Tuesday, additional landscapers will be arriving to
create even more delightful and relaxing outdoor havens.
I would like to acknowledge the very
committed volunteer committee that pulls this very important event together
every year. I would like to acknowledge Robin Taylor-Smith - Chair, Diane
Buchanan, Janice Clements, George Hughes, Bob Ince, Brian North and Jack
Roeleveld working with Sandra Watson, Events Manager for the Chamber. You are
quite amazing. We couldn't do this without you.
There are volunteers in the background too who will be supervising the
move-in on Thursday and the move-out Sunday evening as well as those working as
the “parking patrol,” in the ticket booth and Aurora Chamber display. The Optimist
Club volunteers are back again this year with the Pub & Grill, providing a
relaxing escape from the show while preparing and serving great food and
refreshments.
Make sure you attend this great show and don’t forget to tell your
family, friends, co-workers, and neighbours.
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR AURORA
A Promenade Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Aurora Promenade
Area has been announced by the Town of Aurora. According to information
released by The Town, the CIP Incentive programs were developed in consultation
with the general public and local business and property owners. The CIP will promote
private property investment in the Aurora Promenade to help achieve the vision
and objectives of the area as outlined in the 2010 Town of Aurora Official Plan
and Aurora Promenade Design Strategy.
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a vehicle for facilitating
revitalization and redevelopment efforts in a defined area(s). A CIP is a tool
available to municipalities under Section 28 of the Planning Act that allows
municipalities to establish grants, loans and other programs to encourage
private sector investment in development and renovation projects which seek to
improve areas in accordance with local goals and priorities.
Private property owners and businesses can take advantage of the
financial incentive programs contained in CIPs to achieve a range of community
improvement plans such as improving property façades and redeveloping property.
The Town
announced the seven incentive programs contained in the CIP as:
1. Façade and
Signage Improvement Grant Program
2. Building
Restoration, Renovation and Improvement Program
3. Development
Charge Grant Program
4. Tax-based
Redevelopment Grant Program
5. Heritage
Property Tax Relief Program
6. Environmental
Site Assessment Grant Program
7. Environmental
Remediation Tax Assistance Program
Watch for
further information. The Aurora Promenade Community Improvement Plan has been posted on The Town’s website.
THE AURORA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce has changed and over the next five to ten
years there will be ongoing change. The Aurora Chamber Board of Directors has
altered the way they operate and some members and staff have mentioned that these
changes are difficult to understand. They are unless you have worked or
volunteered on a board in the non-profit sector such as with a chamber of
commerce.
I have worked in the non-profit and charity sector for over 30 years
and, in that time, have seen the role of boards change, or perhaps a better
word is, mature. Whether the board is one that is responsible for the
day-to-day operations of the organization, or one that has hired a senior staff
person and adopted a monitoring role of the work of that person, they have the same responsibilities in their governance or leading roles.
The term “governance” comes
from the Greek word meaning “to steer,” as in steering a ship or a company’s
strategy. In any non-profit (chamber of commerce) governance may be defined as
the exercise of authority, direction and control of an organization in order to
ensure that its purpose is achieved. A model of governance is a framework
within which to organize the thoughts, activities, structure, and relationships
of governing boards.
The Aurora
Chamber Board has developed into a more strategically focused governance board;
there has been a shift in culture. The Board has moved from “operating” the
day-to-day business of the Chamber to ensuring that there is long-term
stability and plans for the future. This doesn't mean board members never talk
about current activities, or volunteer at events, chair committees or ask where
they can help out. They do that but spend much of their time with the
following:
·
reviewing possible risks to the Chamber (What would
happen if . . .) and how these risks could be resolved;
·
succession planning for the board and the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO);
·
financial forecasting and monitoring;
·
policy development and ongoing review of these
policies so the next generation of leaders have a path to follow;
·
developing terms of reference and setting
achievable goals for committees;
·
annually reviewing by-laws;
·
reviewing the strategic, marketing and
communication plans and monitoring the achievements;
·
developing relationships in the community and
supporting the work of the organization and decisions of the board;
·
advocating to all levels of government on issues
that affect the membership;
·
evaluating, monitoring and providing counsel to the
CEO while holding that person responsible for managing all aspects of the
organization within the Board’s defined policy.
The Board of
Directors don’t lose power when their role is clearly defined rather, the CEO
and the Board become partners in achieving what is best for the members and the
organization.
What has really changed is the committee structure. The board has three
committees in place – finance, governance and marketing and membership services
committees. These committees help the board do their work. Other committees are
operational such as those in place for the Home Show, Business Achievement Awards, and the Annual Golf Classic which help the organization
accomplish their goals. If board members serve on one of the working or
organizational committees, it is vital for them to recognize that they are not
serving as a member of the board, but as a volunteer at the request of the CEO.
Board committees provide monthly written reports and the activities of the
operational committees are reported to the Board through the CEO’s reports.
There is a strong annual orientation in place for the board and educational
sessions as well as ongoing monitoring of their meetings and activities. There
is also an annual evaluation of the CEO to ensure delegated tasks and
authorities meet board policies. The best practice is to do a full evaluation
annually for the first three years of employment and move to every two,
sometimes three years thereafter.
For this and every non-profit to respond to the challenges of the 21st
century, good governance will entail ensuring their organizations don’t stand
still, that they remain relevant and sustainable. According to the Canadian
Society of Association Executives (CSAE), “Boards are responsible for the ‘life’
of an organization – their greatest legacy in the next decade will be to forge
sustainable strategies and to help organizations transition.”
GOING FORWARD . . .
Judy Marshall, CEO
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
905-727-7262
